U.S. patent application number 13/800008 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-03 for oral hygiene appliance.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michael Shapiro. Invention is credited to Michael Shapiro.
Application Number | 20130260332 13/800008 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49235509 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130260332 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shapiro; Michael |
October 3, 2013 |
Oral Hygiene Appliance
Abstract
An oral hygiene appliance is provided having an upper and lower
appliance member formed of an arcuate channel for placement over a
wearer's upper and lower teeth and gum lines. The channels are
comprised of an inner and outer layer sandwiching an internal
pathway for routing a pressurized cleaning solution therethrough.
The pathway is a network of tubules or a formed pathway between the
channel layers, the pathway having a main conduit, branches, and
outlets through the channel inner layers. The frontal portion of
the appliance connects to at least one lead tube. The lead tubes
further connect to an external fluid pump and reservoir of cleaning
solution, which is pumped into the pathways of the upper and lower
appliance and exit the outlets to spray remove plaque, tarter, and
food particles. The device may be used in replacement of or in
addition to traditional toothbrush cleaning routines.
Inventors: |
Shapiro; Michael; (Raynham,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Shapiro; Michael |
Raynham |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49235509 |
Appl. No.: |
13/800008 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61616590 |
Mar 28, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
433/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 17/0211
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
433/80 |
International
Class: |
A61C 17/02 20060101
A61C017/02 |
Claims
1) An oral hygiene appliance, comprising: an arcuate appliance
member having a base and upstanding walls forming an elongated
channel having a channel interior for accepting a row of teeth
therein; said channel comprising an inner layer and an outer layer
coextensive with one another; a fluid pathway positioned between
said inner layer and said outer layer for communicating fluid
therethrough; said pathway having a main conduit, a plurality of
conduit branches extending from said main conduit, and a plurality
of conduit branch outlets; said conduit branches positioned between
said inner layer and said outer layer; said conduit outlets
extending through said inner layer to communicate fluid from said
conduit branch and into said channel interior; at least one a
conduit inlet for injecting fluid into said fluid pathway.
2) The oral appliance of claim 1, wherein said fluid pathway
further comprises a tubule network for communicating fluid
therethrough.
3) The oral appliance of claim 1, wherein said fluid pathway
further comprises a pathway formed between said inner layer and
outer layer.
4) The oral appliance of claim 1, further comprising at least one
lead tube for connection to said at least one fluid pathway inlet,
said lead tube being connected to a fluid reservoir and fluid pump
for forcing pressurized fluid into said appliance fluid
pathway.
5) The oral appliance of claim 1, wherein said channel interior is
adapted to accept a bottom row of a user's teeth.
6) The oral appliance of claim 1, wherein said channel interior is
adapted to accept a top row of a user's teeth.
7) The oral appliance of claim 1, wherein said plurality of conduit
branch outlets are positioned along a user's teeth to project a
pressurized fluid against the tooth crown, between teeth, and along
the gum line.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/616,590 filed on Mar. 28, 2012, entitled "Power
Plaque Remover." The above identified patent application is herein
incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of
disclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to oral appliances, mouth
guards, and dental hygiene devices. More specifically, the present
invention pertains to an oral hygiene appliance that directs a
pressurized cleaning solution into a user's mouth to remove plaque
and food particles from the teeth and gums, wherein the solution is
pressurized by a fluid pump and forced through a mouthpiece
appliance having conduits that route the solution to targeted oral
areas locations within the wearer's mouth.
[0004] Tooth brushing is an instrumental part of oral hygiene and
an activity that should be attended to daily to ensure proper oral
health and to avoid common oral maladies. Proper tooth brushing,
however, relies primarily on the technique of the user. Therefore
the effectiveness of the cleaning operation is largely reliant on
how the user handles his or her toothbrush, what brushing technique
is used, and the type of toothpaste dentifrice being utilized in
the operation.
[0005] It is understood that poor dental hygiene, and more
particularly poor brushing habits, can lead to various oral health
issues related to the structure of one's teeth, gums, and tongue.
After meals, food particles and tarter must be removed from the
surface of teeth, from between teeth, and along areas of the gum
therearound. Results of poor oral hygiene include plaque buildup,
gum disease, and tooth decay, which can lead to greater health
issues for the individual over time.
[0006] Proper brushing of one's teeth requires use of a tooth brush
implement to clean the surfaces of each tooth and clean along the
gum line to prevent or reduce such instances of these oral health
problems. However, reliance on the individual and his or her
brushing technique is not a robust way to ensure compliance and
comprehensive cleaning. The food particles, tarter, plaque, and
bacteria are removed from the surfaces of the mouth by abrasive
contact and frictional removal. However, consistent and proper
brushing relies on the user's training and discipline. In instances
where the user is not using the appropriate brushing technique or
not brushing thoroughly, areas of the mouth can remain
untreated.
[0007] To ensure proper oral health, most will schedule
professional teeth cleanings at a dental office, where a hygienist
will perform tooth scaling and tooth polishing operations, and
utilize a spray procedure to remove debris, plaque, and tarter.
While this is the most effective means of cleaning one's teeth,
most individuals frequent a professional dental office every six
months, which makes the individual the primary means of maintain
oral health over the long term.
[0008] The present invention pertains to a professional cleaning
appliance that can be deployed individually, whereby the surfaces
of the wearer's teeth and the gum line is cleaning using a
pressurized spray directed at areas of the mouth. The device
comprises a bi-laminar oral appliance resembling a mouthpiece,
wherein a first and second channel is fitted over a wearer's upper
and lower teeth. Within the bi-laminar construction of the upper
and lower channel are conduits for routing a pressurized abrasive
dentifrice solution, which exits the appliance and is directed to
the surfaces of the teeth and the gingival margin to remove plaque,
tarter, and bacteria from the areas of the teeth. Therefore, the
individual's brushing technique is not relied upon for
cleaning.
[0009] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0010] Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to
oral hygiene devices and oral appliances. These include devices
that have been patented and published in patent application
publications, and generally relate to mouthpiece oral appliances
and oral spray cleaners. No devices are disclosed relating to a
mouthpiece for directing a cleaning solution to targeted locations
of a user's mouth. The following is a list of devices deemed most
relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for
the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects
of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks
existing in the prior art.
[0011] Specifically, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2009/0277461 to Gallagher, Jr. discloses an ingestible and
masticatable oral appliance that comprises an upper and lower
channel for forming around a wearer's teeth. Within the channels
are integrally molded protrusions that act as brush bristles. The
user inserts the appliance into his or her mouth, chews on the
appliance until it becomes masticated material, and thereafter
consumes the material. During the chewing operation, the
protrusions disturb food particles and clean the wearer's teeth.
The Gallagher device, while providing an oral appliance
specifically suited for hygiene, discloses an edible structure that
is consumed after each use, where physical structures are used to
perform the cleaning operation. The present invention provides an
appliance that directs a pressurized solution against the teeth and
gum line for cleaning purposes. The structure and intent of the
present invention diverge from that of Gallagher.
[0012] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0280251 also to
Gallagher, Jr. discloses a mouth guard appliance comprises a two
inverted channels to accept the wearer's teeth therein. Disposed
within the channels is a plurality of bristles that physically
disturbs plaque and food particles, while a reservoir within the
device allows for dentifrice to be added, allows the user to chew
on the device and clean his or her teeth and gum line. This device
similarly diverges from the present invention with respect to
operation and operation. The present invention pertains to an oral
appliance for subjecting the wearer's teeth and gingival margin to
a pressurized solution for cleaning and washing operation, as
opposed to a bristle contact cleaning operation.
[0013] Another such device is U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,101 to Richmond,
which discloses a therapeutic oral appliance for massaging the
gingival tissue of a user's mouth. The device comprises a
mouthpiece article having curved channels and upstanding sidewalls.
The sidewalls include a plurality of recesses to conform to the
geometry of the user's teeth and adjacent areas, whereupon chewing
on the device, the sidewalls flex inward against the crowns of the
teeth and remove plaque and material therefrom. Similar to the
Gallagher, Jr. devices, the Richmond deice is a frictional removal
tool for oral hygiene purposes. The present invention utilizes a
directed hygiene solution and a static structure positionable
within a wearer's mouth, whereby the user does not chew on the
device, but rather the solution is directed towards the gingival
margin and tooth crown surfaces to remove plaque and food particles
therefrom.
[0014] Other common oral hygiene devices in the art relate to
cleaning, polishing, and plaque removal devices using a pressurized
spray solution. These devices are generally handheld assemblies
utilized by medical professionals and dental hygienists for
professionally cleaning a patient's teeth. These provide excellent
cleaning capabilities, but lack the ability to be individually used
or utilized outside of a professional office. The present invention
pertains to a personal hygiene device that utilizes a pressurized
spray solution, whereby a mouthpiece appliance is placed over the
wearer's teeth and the spray is injected thereinto and directed to
targeted portions of the user's teeth. A single user can utilize
the device on a regular basis and in the comfort of one's
residence.
[0015] The present invention discloses a personal oral appliance
that is utilized for teeth cleaning, whereby a pressurized solution
is injected into the upper and lower appliance mouthpiece to direct
the solution therethrough and towards targeted areas of each tooth
within the individual's mouth for plaque, tarter, and bacteria
removal. It is submitted that the present invention is
substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, and
consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an
improvement to existing oral hygiene appliances. In this regard the
instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of oral hygiene appliances now present in the prior art, the
present invention provides a new appliance in the form of an upper
and lower bi-laminar mouthpiece, wherein the same can be utilized
for directing a dentifrice solution against the surfaces of each
tooth and along the gum line for cleaning purposes.
[0017] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved oral hygiene appliance that has all of
the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
oral hygiene appliance that includes an upper and lower mouthpiece
that is conformal to the wearer's teeth, whereby a cleaning
solution can be injected into the mouthpiece and directed against
the surfaces of the wearer's teeth and gum lines.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
oral hygiene appliance that eliminates the need for manual tooth
brushing, whereby cleaning of one's teeth and gums can be
accomplished by inserting the disclosed oral appliance into the
wearer's mouth and initiating a spray pump to draw solution from a
reservoir and into the appliance for directed pressure washing
application.
[0020] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
oral hygiene appliance that comprises a first and second layer
sandwiching an internal conduit of tubules or an internal pathway
for which to route and direct a cleaning solution therethrough,
whereby the spray exits the appliance at specific locations for
cleaning each of the wearer's teeth and along the gum lines.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
oral hygiene appliance that can be molded for a particular user's
mouth using an impression molding process, or alternatively a
generic appliance can be provided that can be conformed after
purchase or simply inserted into the user's mouth for general
usage.
[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
oral hygiene appliance that includes a network of tubules or
conduits through which a cleaning solution, such as an abrasive
dentifrice solution, is forced therethrough towards the
tubule/conduit outlets positioned adjacent to the surfaces of each
tooth and along the gum line.
[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
oral hygiene appliance that can remove food particles, break up
tarter, prevent plaque build-up, and remove germs within the mouth
and between teeth that otherwise lead to oral hygiene and oral
health issues.
[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
oral hygiene appliance that can be deployed personally, either at
home or outside of the home, whereby the user does not require
professional assistance or application for daily use.
[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
oral hygiene appliance that can be utilized daily in replacement or
in addition to brushing operations for oral hygiene purposes.
[0026] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
oral hygiene appliance that can be utilized in organizations or for
individuals where compliance to oral hygiene standards and
practices are required, such as in the military, or in situations
where compliance in general is otherwise difficult, such as use
with individuals having physical or mental handicaps.
[0027] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
oral hygiene appliance that can be designed specifically for an
individual user's mouth, wherein the geometry of his or her mouth,
teeth, and gums can be accounted for, mapped, and then utilized to
create a custom oral appliance that includes targeted areas of
spray application appropriate for the individual.
[0028] Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide an oral hygiene appliance that can be constructed using a
hard or soft compound, including different thermoplastic materials,
acrylics, or other suitable material utilized in mouthguards, oral
appliances, or the like.
[0029] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] Although the characteristic features of this invention will
be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and
manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood
after a review of the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are
provided throughout.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of the upper oral appliance of
the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the oral appliance channel,
its construction, and its positioning relative to a molar.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a cross section through the length of the oral
appliance channel looking inward.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the upper oral appliance
of the present invention and its internal network of tubules.
[0035] FIG. 5 shows a cross section through the base oral appliance
channel and through the network of tubules between the inner and
outer appliance layers.
[0036] FIG. 6 shows a view of the upper and lower oral appliance in
a working state, receiving pressurized oral dentifrice solution
from lead tubes connected to a fluid pump and solution
reservoir.
[0037] FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of the oral appliance
construction, whereby the inner and outer oral appliance layers
sandwich a network of tubules, the tubules penetrating the inner
layer to direct the spray solution against the teeth and gums of a
wearer.
[0038] FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the oral appliance
construction, whereby the inner and outer layers are connected and
comprise complimenting halves of an internal pathway for which to
direct the spray solution therethrough and against the teeth and
gums of a wearer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like
reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like
or similar elements of the oral hygiene appliance. For the purposes
of presenting a brief and clear description of the present
invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for
cleaning the surfaces of a wearer's teeth and cleaning the gum line
using a directed spray solution. The figures are intended for
representative purposes only and should not be considered to be
limiting in any respect.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a top plan view of
the upper oral appliance member 100 of the present invention. The
present invention provides a custom-made or generic mouthpiece
appliance having an upper and a lower appliance that is adapted to
cover the wearer's teeth and gum line and position a plurality of
tubule outlets adjacent to the teeth 70 surfaces, areas between
teeth, and along the gum line. Within the upper and lower oral
appliance is a network of fluid conduits or tubules that allowed a
pressurized stream of cleaning solution to be routed through the
appliance and directed outward onto the tooth and gum line surfaces
within the wearer's mouth. The appliance is attached to a lead tube
that secures to the upper and lower appliance to communicate the
cleaning solution thereinto from a reservoir, wherein a fluid pump
is the motive force to inject and distribute the solution within
the appliances.
[0041] The upper 100 and lower oral appliances are comprise an
inner 20 and outer 40 layer sandwiching the network of internal
tubules that carrying the cleaning solution. The layers form a
bi-laminar construction for the appliances, which are comprised of
either a hardened material or a softer material, depending on
application and preference of the user. The appliances themselves
are curved structures having frontal portion 45 and two side
portions 46 forming an arcuate, U-shaped channel that conforms to
the curved pattern of a human bite. The channel of the upper and
lower appliance accepts the crown of the user's teeth 70 and
overlaps a portion of the gum line near the gingival margin. The
interior surface 21 of the inner appliance layer 20 can be molded
to form closely to the user's particularly teeth geometry or be
less conformal thereto; however, the channel interior surface 21 is
adapted to cover the crown of each tooth 70 and provide positioning
of the tubule outlets therearound and along the gum line for food
particle, plaque, and tarter removal.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross section cut
across the width of the upper appliance channel along its side
portion, wherein the channel is conforming around a molar tooth 70.
As shown, the channel comprises a pair of upstanding walls and a
base surface forming a U-shaped channel within which a wearer's
teeth 70 are positioned. The channel length is an arcuate pathway
following the general shape of a wearer's bite pattern. This
arraignment is well known in the art of mouthguards and other oral
appliances having a channel configuration.
[0043] The structure of the channel base and upstanding walls is
that of a mated inner 20 and outer 40 layer that sandwich an inner
tubule network or an inner open pathway for the pressurized
cleaning solution. The two layers are coextensive with one another
and are preferably permanently affixed together during construction
of the appliance. As visualized in FIG. 2, the inner tubule network
comprises a main conduit 50 spanning the length of the arcuate
channel and routed along the base thereof. At given locations,
tubule or pathway branches 51 extend from the main conduit 50 to
route the solution to an outlet 52 location along the crown of the
tooth 20 or along the gum line 81 of the user's gums 80. The
channel extends over the gingival margin 81 and over a portion of
the gums 80, while the inner layer 20 is positioned adjacent to or
in contact with the tooth crown.
[0044] The tubule or pathway branches 51 communicate the cleaning
solution (dentifrice, abrasive, or other oral hygiene solution)
away from the main conduit 50 and into the walls of the channel to
specific locations. The locations can be designed specifically for
the user, whereby the outlets 52 are strategically positioned
against tooth surfaces 75, in between teeth, and along the gum
line. When the solution is communicated into the appliance, the
solution enters the main conduit 50 and is routed into its branches
51 and is ejected from the outlets 52. These outlets 52 function as
orifices or nozzles for spraying the pressurized solution against
the tooth 70 and gum 80 surfaces to remove food particles, tarter,
and plaque therefrom. The outlets 52 extend through the inner layer
20 to its inner surface, allowing the free communication of fluid
through the inner layer 20 and into the interior of the U-shaped
channel.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a lengthwise section
cut along the interior of the appliance channel side portion,
whereby the base of the channel is sectioned and the upstanding
wall and the tubule outlets 52 are visualized. In this view, the
base of the channel comprising of the outer layer 40, inner layer
20 and tubule main conduit 50 is shown. A pressurized oral hygiene
or abrasive oral cleaning solution is communicated into the main
conduit 50 between the layers of the appliance and into the tubule
or pathway branches 51. These branches 51 extend along the base and
upwards into the upstanding walls of the channel between the
layers. The branches 51 can further extend directly upward through
the inner layer to communicate the solution onto the upper crown
surface of a tooth or between teeth thereabove.
[0046] The extent or distance to which the branches 51 extend along
the sides of the channel is dependent on its location along the
channel length. The branches 51 extend into the sidewalls to the
point in which the outlet 52 is positioned, and therefore to the
extent with which the spray is necessary in that given location. In
some areas it is more advantageous to position outlets 52 higher or
lower along the sidewall of the channel, depending on whether a
tooth is present at that location or if a gap between teeth is
present. Gaps between teeth and application of the solution along
the gum line will require greater branch 51 lengths to position the
outlets 52 away from the upper surface of the tooth and in the
appropriate position to apply the solution in those locations.
Application directly against the sides of the tooth may require
shorter branch lengths.
[0047] It is contemplated that the present appliance be either
custom made for a dental patient or generically deployed. In the
former, a dental professional can map out the best locations for
the outlets depending on the specific geometry of the individual's
mouth, taking into account the user's bite, his or her teeth
geometry, relative positioning, and gum line structure. These
locations are predetermined and can be defined as the outlet 52
locations for which the custom appliance will be built. If such an
exercise is not required or not desired, a generic appliance with
estimated placement of the outlets can be designed, whereby the
locations are based on the average mouth geometry for a given
overall size.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view
of the upper oral appliance 100 of the present invention, wherein
the tubule/pathway network is positioned between the inner 20 and
outer 40 layers of the appliance. At least one conduit inlet 55 is
positioned along the frontal portion 45 of the device, which
connects to a corresponding fluid tube that communicates the
cleaning solution into the appliance from an external reservoir and
fluid pump. Once within the inlet 55, the solution enters the main
conduit 50 along the side portions 46 of the appliance and into the
individual branches 51 before exiting each of the outlets 52 and
into the wearer's mouth. The pathway or tubule network is therefore
an open pathway to communicate pressurized fluid from an external
source, directing a high pressure spray against the surfaces of the
wearer's teeth and gum line. The tubule network terminates along
the ends 30 of the appliance to maintain pressure and to ensure the
outlets 52 are the only means of exhausting the solution from the
appliance.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a cross section
through the base of the appliance channel and through the tubule
network therein. In this view, the outer layer 40 is shown in a cut
view and supporting the tubule main conduit 50 and its branches 51,
which extend between the inner and outer 40 layers and directly
through the inner layer to eject the solution from the appliance
along the frontal 45 and side portions 46 of the appliance. The
solution inlets 55 are positioned along the frontal portion 45 of
the appliance to allow for hookup of lead tubes to a solution
reservoir and fluid pump.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a view of the upper
100 and lower 101 oral appliance of the present invention in a
working state, positioned over the upper and lower teeth of a
wearer and projecting an oral cleaning solution against the
surfaces of each tooth 70 and along the gum line 80. In operation,
the user places the upper 100 and lower 101 appliance over his or
her upper and lower bite. Thereafter, lead tubes 200 are connected
to the appliance inlets 55 of each appliance, wherein each
appliance includes at least one inlet 55. The lead tubes 200 are
connected to a fluid pump and solution reservoir. When the pump is
energized, the solution is pressurized and communicated through the
feed tubes 200, into the upper and lower appliance inlets 55 and
into each of the tubule main conduits, branches 51, and through the
outlets 52. The solution is ejected from the outlets 52 with
sufficient velocity to break up food particles, hardened tarter,
and plaque from teeth 70, therebetween and along the gum line 80.
In FIG. 6, the call-out showing the side portion 46 of the upper
appliance shows the outlets 52 ejecting the solution from the
tubule network.
[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there are shown two
contemplated constructions of the present oral hygiene appliance.
As shown in FIG. 7, a first contemplated construction comprises a
defined tubule network 300 comprised of an interconnected series of
tubes that define the main conduit 50, its branches 51, and the
tubule outlets 52. Once defined, the tubule network 300 is
sandwiched between the appliance outer layer 40 and inner layer 20,
whereby the inner layer comprises apertures 48 along its surface to
allow for the outlets 52 and inlets 55 to be positioned
therethrough for proper communication of fluid.
[0052] In a second contemplated construction and as visualized in
FIG. 8, the tubule network is replaced by an internal series of
pathways between the inner layer 30 and the outer layer 40. Along
the interface between the inner and outer layer, each layer
incorporates a corresponding half 301 of the defined pathway, such
that when joined, the halves establish a defined pathway for fluid
to enter into the appliance by way of the inlet apertures 48 and
distribute throughout the pathway main conduit 50, branches 51, and
outlets 52. Alternatively, one of the layers could be formed to
contribute the defined pathway while the other is uniform across
its interface surface. The inner and outer layers secure together
via adhesive bonding or similar material adhesion, whereby the two
layers are permanently secured together and form a defined pathway
for fluid with no leakage outside of the pathway conduit 50 and
branches 51 extending therefrom.
[0053] Overall, the present invention describes an oral hygiene
appliance that is inserted into the user's mouth and over his or
her teeth to remove plaque and tarter therefrom. A network of fluid
pathways established by tubules or formed pathways project a
cleaning or abrasive solution to different areas of the mouth,
including the surfaces of the teeth and along the gum line. The
appliance is connected to a fluid pump that pressurizes a solution
and forces it through the appliance in a continuous or intermittent
manner. The pumped solution can be a number of different dental
cleaning agents, including different dentifrice solutions or
abrasives solution for pressure washing away plaque and tarter. The
pressure from the pump, as well as the abrasive cleaner, act to
remove plaque, tarter, and bacteria from the teeth and gums of a
wearer.
[0054] It is submitted that the instant invention has been shown
and described in what is considered to be the most practical and
preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures
may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious
modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With
respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that
the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention.
[0055] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *